Cabinet again assures SA that there's sufficient fuel despite Middle East war

Cabinet has once again moved to assure the country that it has sufficient fuel despite the war in the Middle East.

It said the recent unavailability of fuel at filling stations was due to logistical constraints, including fuel hoarding and panic buying ahead of this week’s massive price increase.

At a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni said the executive has been assured by Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Gwede Mantashe that the country has enough stock.

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Ntshaveni said South Africa only relies on oil supply from the Middle East for refined products.

“South Africans are discouraged from panic buying and fuel hoarding. We have adequate supplies, and we have got plans to ensure South Africa remains fuel-supply adequate.”

She added that a ministerial task team has been directed to coordinate the government’s response to mitigate the impact of the war on Iran on the cost of living, fuel and food security.

“As an immediate intervention, the task team recommended a reduction in the fuel levy for the immediate period, to alleviate the impact on the fuel price increases that took effect on Wednesday, 1 April, and people have also experienced a reduction in what was projected as the fuel price increase.”